Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, had an "oops" moment when she said the U.S. Constitution was some 400-years-old.Unfortunately, it was 173 some years off its actual creation date: Sep. 17, 1787. See other notable quotes from the polarizing Texas congresswoman. (Photo from C-SPAN / YouTube)

"I'm a queen and demand to be treated like one," a former staffer recalled Lee saying. It was never officially recorded, but ex-aides to Lee went to the Daily Caller to complain about her being the 'worst boss' in the Capitol.

"I'm a queen and demand to be treated like one," a former staffer recalled Lee saying. It was never officially recorded, but ex-aides to Lee went to the Daily Caller to complain about her being the 'worst boss' ... more

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The National Rifle Association

In response to a NRA ad that featured President Obama's two daughters, Lee said the NRA was "reckless and irresponsible" and may have "jeopardized the security of the first family."

Conservatives quickly jumped on Lee after she said this on the house floor:

“And let’s think about moving into 2013, how we make this economy better by looking carefully at how we reform entitlements that ... more

Photo: C-SPAN

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Scientology

At the opening of the Church of Scientology's national office, Lee said:

“I want to thank L. Ron Hubbard for recognizing that courage is not rewarded but it is valued. And to be able to have the wonderment of people coming together and ensuring that people come together for peace."

“Did he lose his life because of the color of his skin? … Did he become a threat because he had a dark skin? That is the question that has to be answered for Mr. Zimmerman and for the Department of Justice.”

“Did he lose his life because of the color of his skin? … Did he become a threat because he had a dark skin? That is the question ... more

Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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2008 election fraud allegations

In response to allegations that there may have been fraud in the 2008 presidential elections, Lee brought race into play when she said the allegations probably started “maybe because we elected the first African American president.”

In response to allegations that there may have been fraud in the 2008 presidential elections, Lee brought race into play when she said the allegations probably started “maybe because we elected the first ... more

Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle

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In what is considered a big faux-paus on the House floor, Lee gave the University of Houston some props:

"This is not an idea of anyone over another person. Republican and Democratic Senators have already voted for this clean bill that we could vote on today. We have martial law. What that means - and my colleagues know what it means - is that you can put a bill on in just minutes," Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston. Related:Read the full text of her speech here. less

"This is not an idea of anyone over another person. Republican and Democratic Senators have already voted for this clean bill that we could vote on today. We have martial law. What that means - and my ... more

Photo: Alex Wong, Getty Images

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Sheila Jackson Lee proposes new term for 'welfare'

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U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who has decried the failure of Congress to extend unemployment benefits before its December recess, is talking about changing the vocabulary of assistance.

"Maybe the word 'welfare' should be changed to something of, 'a transitional living fund,'" Jackson Lee said, according to a post on The Minority Report blog. "For that is what it is - for people to be able to live," she said.

The congresswoman went on to speak well of the Earned Income Credit, food and nutrition programs, jobs training and education programs, Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act as "huge safety nets - not handouts, but safety nets," the Minority Report said.

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